A pressure regulator (100) is provided. The pressure regulator (100) includes various features that reduce the risk of internal leaking. The pressure regulator (100) includes a regulator body (101) including a fluid inlet (107) with a valve seat (106) and a fluid outlet (108) and a cap (102) coupled to the regulator body (101). The pressure regulator (100) also includes a diaphragm (103) with a first side (103a) exposed to the fluid inlet (107) and the fluid outlet (108) and a second side (103b) exposed to the cap (102). The diaphragm (103) can frictionally engage the regulator body (101) to form a fluid tight seal. Additionally, the diaphragm (103) may include a socket (118) formed in the diaphragm (103) and a valve member (105) including a valve stem (110) with a ball (118) that is adapted to engage the socket (118) formed in the diaphragm (103) in order to couple the valve member (105) to the diaphragm (103).
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A pressure regulator ( 100 ), comprising: a regulator body ( 101 ) including a fluid inlet ( 107 ) and a fluid outlet ( 108 ); a cap ( 102 ) coupled to the regulator body ( 101 ); a diaphragm ( 103 ) positioned within the regulator body ( 101 ) and including: a first side ( 103 a ) exposed to the fluid inlet ( 107 ) and the fluid outlet ( 108 ); a second side ( 103 b ) exposed to the cap ( 102 ); and a retaining rim ( 120 ) configured to frictionally engage the regulator body ( 101 ) to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the diaphragm ( 103 ) and the regulator body ( 101 ); and a valve member ( 105 ) including a valve stem ( 110 ) extending through the fluid inlet ( 107 ) and coupled to the diaphragm ( 103 ); a biasing member ( 104 ) coupled to the second side ( 103 b ) of the diaphragm and the cap ( 102 ); a ball ( 117 ) formed at the second end of the valve member ( 105 ) and a socket ( 118 ) formed in the diaphragm ( 103 ), wherein the ball ( 117 ) is configured to engage the socket ( 118 ) to couple the valve member ( 105 ) to the diaphragm ( 103 ); a stem receiver defined by the diaphragm proximate the socket; and a hollow defined by a stem receiver in the diaphragm, wherein the hollow is configured to allow the diaphragm to deflect towards the valve stem from a pressure exerted upon the diaphragm by the biasing member so to increase pressure exerted upon the ball.
2. The pressure regulator ( 100 ) of claim 1 , further comprising an annular seal disposed on the valve member having an annulus in which the valve stem protrudes, wherein the annular seal is configured to engage a valve seat defined by the valve body.
3. The pressure regulator ( 100 ) of claim 2 , wherein the cap ( 102 ) includes a tab ( 115 ) adapted to retain the retaining rim ( 120 ) frictionally engaged with the receiving groove ( 114 a ) and the retaining protrusion ( 114 b ).
4. The pressure regulator ( 100 ) of claim 1 , further comprising a movable arm ( 241 ) extending from the regulator body ( 101 ), wherein the retaining rim ( 120 ) frictionally engages the movable arm ( 241 ).
5. The pressure regulator ( 100 ) of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure relief valve ( 420 ) located in a bleed port ( 421 ) formed in the regulator body ( 101 ).
6. The pressure regulator ( 5 ) of claim 5 , wherein the pressure relief valve ( 420 ) is in fluid communication with first side ( 103 a ) of the diaphragm ( 103 ).
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
December 16, 2010
November 24, 2015
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